Which DYMO Label Printer is Best for Your Project? 

Getting a FREE labeler (or printer) is a great deal, but only if it's the labeler you actually need! Accu-Tech offers two different series of DYMO industrial grade (Thermal Transfer) label printers, so which one is right for your company? 

First, let's define Thermal Transfer. Thermal Transfer is a process that "transfers" the toner from a separate tape or ribbon onto the desired label tape. These label tapes can be "continuous" (which are cut to the desired size) or "die-cut" (also called "pre-sized" or "dry-edge"). They come in a variety of materials suited to their specific application and are typically much more durable and longer lasting than "Direct Thermal" (i.e. name tag or address labels), which explains their use in manufacturing facilities, food processing plants, harsh environments, etc. The image colors of these labels are either black or white depending on such factors as user preference and compliance with industry standards and/or requirements. For example, pipes carrying potable water are labeled with white letters on green tape. 

Always consider the following application factors when selecting the best Industrial consumable (labels or tapes) for your job: 

• Environment: Inside/Outside/Clean/Dirty/Hot/Cold/Life of Label/Laws and Regulations/Ease of Use/Desktop or Portable/Languages/Durability
• Color-Coding: Departments/Regulations/Wires and Cables/Inventory/5S/Shadow Boards
• Label Materials:
  • Indoor/Outdoor Vinyl: Best for all-around applications due to durability, color options, flexibility (flats and/or radii, including wire wraps and pipes). 
  • Flexible Nylon: Good for wire/cable wraps, especially those being pulled through long conduit.
  • Polyester: Great for flat surfaces like faceplates, bins, switches, glass, etc. Do NOT use to wrap wires, as they will unwrap and fall off eventually.
  • Heat Shrink Tube: Excellent for wires and cables where extra durability and reinforcement is needed, such as making a "boot" over the termination jack, etc. 
  • Pre-Sized or Die-Cut: Perfect for asset tags, barcodes and other applications where a consistent size and look is desired.
  • Warning or RTK: Right-to-Know labels (such as Arc Flash, DANGER, NOTICE, etc.) are essential in factories and work sites.
  • Self-Laminating: Available in Cartridge Tapes for labeling machines or 11 x 8.5" sheets for large jobs or repetitive labels (printed on your office LASER printer). 

Finally, answering a few quick "application" questions will direct you to the best choice for your labeling jobs: 

• Will I ever want/need to...
  • Import data from a spreadsheet or other file stored in my PC?
  • Add our logo or special image to a label? 
  • Use a computer keyboard for faster typing and more efficient data entry? 
  • Create special size labels, asset tags, special barcodes (including QR codes) or other custom labels? 
  • Comply with OSHA, ASME, BICSI, NFPA and other facility labeling standards? 
  • Make labels for other areas besides the typical Datacom or Low Voltage equipment and wires/cables jobsite? 
  • Print labels wider than 3/4"?
  • Print a lot of Heat Shrink Tube labels? 
  • Print Self-Laminated Wire/Cable wrap labels? 
  • Print "Arc Flash" or other "Right-to-Know" Color-Coded facility labels? 
  • Share special design labels with coworkers or associates via email? 
  • Automatically update the firmware on my printers? 
• If you answered YES to any of these questions, select either the DYMO XTL300 (for 1/4" up to 1" width) or XTL500 (1/4" up to 2" width). 
  • Note that only the XTL500 model prints: 
    • Wider than 1"
    • Pre-Sized or Continuous Heat Shrink Tubes
    • Warning Labels
• If you answered NO to all of the questions above, and just need a simple, easy-to-use, rechargeable and portable labeler, select either the DYMO 4200 or 5200 Rhino Series printers. 

For more information, please contact your local Accu-Tech representative.

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